Protests erupt in Tehran, Isfahan, other cities as economy deteriorates

Iranians in Tehran, Isfahan Mashhad, Shiraz took to streets to protest against the high inflation rates and unemployment in the country. Government security forces have been called out in force to quell the protests

Truck drivers and shopkeepers in the central Iranian city also protested the day before. Security forces were also present at the earlier demonstration, but did not disrupt the event or attack the protesters.

The protesters in Isfahan shouted “Reza Shah, may your soul be glad,” referring to the founder of the previous Pahlavi dynasty. Reza Shah’s son, Muhammad Reza Shah, was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s dire economic situation has brought thousands of protesters to the streets over the past several months. Following the withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 six-country nuclear deal with Iran, international businesses have been wary of investing in the Islamic Republic for fear of running afoul of renewed American sanctions. The Iranian currency, the rial, has also experienced significant devaluation, which is disrupting business by driving up the cost of imports.

Demonstrators have also protested the government’s extensive military and financial investment in the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iran’s support for Hamas.